The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-07-24
4 VALUABLE UNION.
nov THE JoURNErlfEN BAKERS HAVE
HELPED THEMSELV YES ALONG.

r,.,r National Union, Eighteen Months old,
has 10000 Memberr-Bnkers Used TO
worh 90 Noursa Week, Now They Work
sG-Fiy. Unisns In this City-Rules Gov
eruinE the Union.
The Journeymen Bakers National Union
was founded In January, 1886, ut n convention
bsld ut Pittsburgh. Its object was to reduce
tho working hours OF bakers, which exceed
those OF almost any other trade, and to better
tho sanitary condition OF their working places.
which reduce tho average lifo OF baker go
that. according to tho recent reports, OF l.2O0
bakers only 80 were over 30. At tho forma-
tion Of tho union the average OF working hours
was $50 q week, which has been reduced to
75.s and the average per day from 14.4 10 1913.
All this has been dono In little over year.
1t Is too soon for any statistics showing the
elrcct OF tho change In hours on longevity.
but tho tables prepared last year show how
much room there is for Improvement. Questions
wore sent out to members OF the union. and
one OF the questions was for the age. Only
fraction OF the members answered this quos-
ton, but OF those who did answer liz are
under 20, 6o2 between 20 and 80. 269 between
90 and 40. 107 between 40 and 80. and only 80
over 80. This makes the average age OF the
baker under 80. and, judging from the rapid
decrease in numbers as the ages increase. tho
average life cannot be over 40, or. assuming
that the average baker starts at his trade at ID.
no has livod half his life when he starts, and II
hc worked at the old hours there would remain
20 him some 65,0o0 hours Of life in which to
sleep, cat, make love- money, and die. II there
was any class of mon among whom union
was needed and whose hours should BIO re-
duced and wages increased. 1t was tho bakers.
A horse-car driver was never worse of. for his
nay was sure, and his work was In tho open air
instesd q an oXerhsassd cellar. ,orndo, !. ,..
asSS 9sS.s nsSs a.. ss1 Ns%
h hs fsSWAfS Rs Sfs Boz and
Jewish union. SONG Of them belong also to
ans saeaaf ha 81 and Sc q. @
ties. they voted tor George last tsll Though h
IsorR srSS s son. vei & lie
ssrsar and pgSlsshss papSef n caled the
s BIZ R1 3 an ablc man ana natural leader IN
ths union. He is q Socialist to certain o1-
Any baker over tho age Of II l. eligible for
s n The s Hn Sshna h h sn
S@ a to be
Ess.anvs ss aRRds ~ !s hs
f fRs a eopss
XSis D. sbSs sSs 4. sssaay ssds s snd
i ips answer n MemSsEs who DO ut answer are
the power to levy assessments In aid Of strikes.
but aa eea 70 aSons
or dsf 'Tih The officers Of the union are Ma;
tional Secretary and assistant Financial
ESs e. Ss;fs
' Slack BOOK Is kent. In Which are entered
tho Of all members ,bs who hav' dsfaptsd
entered in Tits book the facts must the inSes-
sSd e4 IRE BY the local Tnen and r.:
not b admitted IS mepbers. Tn. National
ire n and also give
bonds for 5000 each. and the Treasurer Is not
Swea s sares e. sH hsaa e.
1!s. Il e
Ras H oa3s 5oS apd et adSer
may yf Be p paid from It's profits in the end ne
local unions pay tho expenses q the CELEBRATES
Ss SsitSa bar Rse bcsia # Rpp.n Tsi
located In Whatever city the union may desis;
nate, and consists OF seven momDorB olected
by the unions OF that city. 1t sits In judgment
on the decisions OF the National Executive
The initiation fee may, not be less than as
S MAKE them higher a 4 they wish Fash local
s i hs HSss Gan fl %sPs
hs S4aqs 9oGs
central labor unions and trades assemblies.
and maintain friendly relations with other
trades organizations.
Two pages OF tho constitution tell what the
bakers are to do when they get into trou9le
duty Of the local union to settle difficulties as
much as possible without striking. and to offer
arbitration, as only in the event that all at
tempts OF a pesceful settlement shall provo Of
no avail. or II thS demands OF the employers
and contrary to the principles OF unfon1sm.
strike shall be resorted to;
places are e refrain irSm striking ~ as to be
three fourths vote Of the members In good
seFFs ss; ana x9 Sc
invited In writing to attend the meeting at
which tho strike Is to b. discussed. A local
union must belong to the National Union three
case Of . Strike. The amount Of benefit TO be
paid In time Of strikes Is decided by tho Ma
Eional Executive Committee. alter finding out
bow many members are on strike and what
funds are to DO drawn on.
". NJ, BUM